Dehumanization of immigrants

Language is important

Opinion | February 2026

According to an article published by Psychology Today and the National Library of Medicine, words have real psychological power and can either motivate or harm.

It also said how negative labels can damage self-esteem. Language shapes how people think and understand the world around them, and in debates over immigration, it can carry powerful consequences.

The words being used by political leaders, media outlets, and the general public do more than just describe immigration policy.

Words can frame an entire group as unworthy of basic human decency.

Understanding the effects of this

language is essential because words usually lay the groundwork for discrimination and prejudice.

Dehumanizing labels

Using dehumanizing terms, such as “illegal alien", “criminal,” “monsters,” or “people with bad genes,” reduces individuals to nothing but labels. These are people's parents, neighbors, children, and friends who are being dehumanized, and these labels strip people of their humanity, erasing their personal history, culture, and contributions to society.

Referring to people as “illegal” suggests that their existence itself is unlawful, and it also makes it easier to view immigrants as threats rather than people, which makes them more susceptible to injustice and unlawful treatment. If immigration enforcement were truly about public safety and not racism, it would focus on humane treatment and individualized assessment, not calling a whole group of people animals, monsters, or aliens.

Effects on individuals and families

The repeated use of dehumanizing language can have lasting psychological effects on immigrants and their families. It can damage their self-esteem and create feelings of shame, fear, and alienation.

As children grow up, constantly hearing their parents and relatives being described in such ways can deeply affect their sense of identity and belonging. This can lead to internalized hatred and influence the way they see themselves.

These are not words; they are labels, and they have become so normalized in everyday conversations, news coverage, and the media. The harm extends beyond just individuals; it goes to entire communities.

The consequences of using dehumanizing language are not only limited to individuals but also influence whole communities.

For example, if immigrants are continuously depicted as dangerous, the local communities will live in fear and become isolated. Negative talk destroys the relationship of trust amongst neighbors, and in addition, it creates a situation where discrimination seems normal instead of being unacceptable. Furthermore, this kind of language leads to people becoming quiet since they might be afraid of expressing their views or of fully engaging in public life.

Dehumanizing speech by blaming immigrants for problems rather than seeing them as neighbors intensifies social divides and breaks down the sense of common humanity, which is the foundation for strong, inclusive communities.

Why the language needs to change

Changing language alone is not going to solve the complex problems of the immigration system, but it is an important first step toward a fair and humane society. Words influence people's thinking, emotions, and behaviors, and when society adopts language that denies human qualities, it becomes easier to justify inhuman treatment.

A change in vocabulary toward more respectful and accurate terminology helps acknowledge immigrants as human beings first and foremost, rather than as stereotypes or labels. If society truly values human rights and dignity, it must begin by refusing to use language that erases humanity. How we speak about people determines how willing we are to protect them.

There are better alternative terms, such as “undocumented immigrant” or “immigrant without legal status,” not monsters, aliens, or illegal. These phrases recognize that immigration status is only one aspect of someone’s life, not their entire identity. You can acknowledge a person’s circumstance without disregarding their worth or humanity.

When language strips dignity, it becomes easier for prejudice to thrive.

ICE has also heavily targeted immigrants from non-white countries, while undocumented immigrants from predominantly white nations receive far less attention.

Ultimately, immigration laws can be enforced without dehumanizing people or stripping them of their dignity. It is not about the deportations; it's how the government chooses to go about it.

When law enforcement is going to schools, grocery stores, and places where criminals should not be, and are targeting specific racial and ethnic groups, then it ceases to be about policy alone. Instead, it becomes about internal prejudice, racism, and exclusion.

History has shown that dehumanizing language has often been used to justify exclusion and injustice. While immigration debates are complex, dignity and basic human rights should not be negotiable. If society truly values human rights and dignity, it must begin by refusing to use language that erases humanity. How we speak about people determines how willing we are to protect them.

There are better alternative terms, such as “undocumented immigrant” or “immigrant without legal status,” not monsters, aliens, or illegal. These phrases recognize that immigration status is only one aspect of someone’s life, not their entire identity.

You can acknowledge a person’s circumstance without defining their worth or humanity. Changing language alone won’t fix the complex immigration system. But language does matter; it changes how society perceives people and what actions feel acceptable.

Choosing humane, accurate words is a small but meaningful step toward a more respectful public conversation that values people above labels.

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